Local government planning

nbn is working with councils to facilitate the rollout of fast broadband.

Our aim is to work in partnership with local government to deliver the benefits of broadband to residents and businesses with minimum disruption to the community.

We are committed to working collaboratively with local government on the design and deployment of the nbn™ broadband access network. Working together, we want to ensure we deliver a lasting, positive legacy for the local community. To achieve this, local government has a critical role to play as they are best placed to ensure nbn are aware of any potential local issues or requirements that need to be taken into consideration through planning, construction and mobilisation of the nbn™ access network. Local government can also add valuable, specialist resources and channels to engage and educate local residents and businesses.

nbn has established a dedicated team who are tasked with engaging with communities, and developing the crucial partnerships with local, national and state governments. The nbn™ local team work to ensure key stakeholders within local government and other regulatory authorities are kept well informed throughout the rollout of the nbn™ access network.

Working with local government

Planning and design

During the planning and design phase, nbn will consult with local government on the design of the nbn™ broadband access network to optimise and reduce any issues prior to the rollout. nbn will work with councils at the earliest opportunity to ensure that local residents and businesses within the community are informed and prepared for the rollout of the nbn™ broadband access network.

A member of the nbn™ local team will be assigned to each council and is responsible for conducting the initial design briefing sessions with all the appropriate council stakeholders. In the initial engagement period, nbn will request the council to provide a wide range of local information to ensure that the rollout plans run as smoothly as possible.

Working together on community engagement

nbn will work closely with councils in developing community engagement plans and media events to understand and utilise local knowledge and channels such as; associations, businesses, and community groups. nbn will discuss any potential legacy issues from previous infrastructure projects and other advice that council may provide to assist with a smooth rollout. nbn may jointly prepare or discuss media releases and other communication activity to ensure the best cut-through of the rollout messages.

Construction

Construction of the nbn™ access network involves installation work to connect the individual homes, Multi Dwelling Units (MDUs), government buildings and businesses. Some of the nbn™ access network is constructed by delivery partners and their subcontractors under contract with nbn, while other elements of the rollout are directly managed by nbn. nbn will introduce contractors to local government stakeholders to help minimise obstacles in the construction rollout, and establish ongoing meetings with appropriate local government staff to obtain first-hand feedback on any issues.

Activating the network

Once construction is completed and the nbn™ access network is live, residents and business owners will be able to order their phone and internet services through their preferred provider. nbn aims to work closely with local government to help inform and transition residents and businesses over to the nbn™ access network as quickly as possible.

In areas where nbn™ Fibre is installed, nbn will replace most existing landline phones, ADSL internet and Telstra cable internet networks. The existing networks will be permanently disconnected – generally around 18 months after the nbn™ access network becomes available in your local area. nbn currently understands that premises in nbn™ Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster™ satellite areas will retain their copper phone lines (i.e. Telstra does not currently plan on disconnecting the legacy copper network in those areas)*.

* Services provided over the nbn™ broadband access network will be replacing phone and internet services provided over most of the existing landline networks, including copper and the majority of HFC networks within the fixed line footprint. Services provided over existing fibre networks (including in-building, health and education networks) and some special and business services may not be affected. To find out if your services will be affected, please contact your current phone or internet provider. For more information, visit nbn.com.au/switchoff or call 1800 687 626.